Thursday, 21 November 2013

So first mention 'here'... we wanted to say a little more about our new range of 100% Scottish Lambswool; Lalland. Its been such a great and inspiring process, not without its challenges. However, we eventually managed to perfect a wool that has that subtle old fashioned look, and has that knitterly feel like the wool we so fondly remember using years ago. We'll be following this up in the New Year with a new range of cashmere colours, once all at Di Gilpin Ltd are absolutely happy with it.

Lalland is a 100 per cent
lambswool which is spun in a unique way, which finely accentuates stitch definition, with a clear Scottish provenance, inspired by the landscape and memories within.

We wanted to develop a range of yarns from the Lowlands of Scotland
that is distinct from those beautiful Shetland colours and look. We also created it to reflect the type of
knitting which we are doing a lot of, the Gansey knit, where you need a little
more stitch definition to reveal all of the pattern detail. “

It has a double twist which is a two-two
ply, and then twisted again which gives a subtle old fashioned feel. Very crisp while also very soft. It’s quite distinct from most of the
contemporary yarns like the Merinos and the Shetlands, so it’s like creating a
new Scottish fibre.

We wanted to use the natural
world to describe the colours in the range by using words that describe colour
to us.

It is now available at digilpin.com in 10 colours: Broch, Silver Birch, Coral, Jasper, Beechnut, Amethyst, Morion,
Laggan, Storm Petrel and Agate, and there are stories attached to each name (also available from our Ravelry page)

Storm Petrel reminds me of when of when I read a wonderful little book by Fraser Darling called the Island Years. It describes the life of these little birds which live in an Iron Age broch on the uninhabited island of Mousa. I had the beautiful image of where the moonlight reaches the back of the graceful Storm Petrel as it sweeps and flits through the deep night skies; such a deep and dark green, against thick layers of rich grey.

Silver Birch is connected to the tree which is a favourite native species. When I first moved to the Isle of Skye I planted many of these trees, as well as Rowan, around my home and studio so they have had a strong presence in life. I’ve long been influenced by the great work of the John Muir Trust and the Reforestation of Scotland movement, in preserving the beautiful Scottish landscape which is so dear. This colour is in respect of those.

Broch is based on the memory of
an old restored broch which used to sit next to my studio in the Isle of
Skye, the colour being a perfect match to that ancient stonework and those aged and weathered raw stone walls.

When we design pieces, we are always thinking in
colour so this range was designed to reflect the narrative of our new range
of patterns. We have a created a new
fibre that gives us the look and feel which we are after, and so love. Among the many distinctive patterns now available
for the wool, there is the Moray Star Gansey, the Seol Gansey Mittens and the
Tree of Life Mittens. All available on both digilpin.com and Ravelry.

The wool is spun in a mill near our Bothy studio in Fife that has produced yarns for more than a
century. We are also planning to make a new range of cashmere. We are currently sampling and hope to have it ready for sale in the new year.
These will be earthier colours, created to sit calmly with the stronger look of
the Lalland collection.

What do you all think ... please let us see some images of any pieces that you've knitted with this wool in the future. It would be so wonderful to see it being brought to life and to hear how you all find knitting with it. x

Di has created a unique signature twist which accentuates the definition of stitch and pattern It's composed by twisting together two double plies of single strands; a lengthy and careful process, which connects directly to traditional craft techniques.

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

We’ve changed our logo a little. Refined it. Using instead, the original wood engraving which was created for Di by a dear friend, rather a few years ago. Truly beautifully made. It signifies the Bell Wether, essentially the ram that would become a trusting guide of the flock. Insightful, and at peace. Also it remembers the many beautiful moments Di spent on the Isle of Skye where she was at the time it was made.

signature

hand drawn

travel

treasure

story - intention

Some beautiful words by
Eleanor Farjeon, which just seemed to pair so well with the sentiment behind the image ... a lovely thought:

Monday, 7 October 2013

It’s
been so so long everyone … our dearest apologies. Such a wealth of story to
catch up with. There have been such rich developments lately too.
Its so wonderful to see the complete process through of designing and creating a new
piece… the Flourishing. So special when Autumn seems to be in flow and
colour becomes richer. Feels fitting. So … Di and Sheila are in Shetland for the great
event that isShetland Wool Week. An amazing experience and atmosphere
it’s sure to be. The launch of our new collection patterns are being released... imminently Which we’re greatly excited about. They are quite definitive
pieces; they have come to so well symbolise a focused interpretation of the
journey of the creations up to the now… ‘Designs emerging from our path’.

Some visual snippets of the
recent story with Di Gilpin …

rich with ideas and time

a pattern of colour, now in Tokyo ... more insight to come about that greatness

We’re soon releasing the first of three collections for Autumn and Winter 2013. The first is put together by two mitten patterns; Tree of Life, and Seol Gansey, a Seol scarf and tunic, and the Moray Star Gansey. A rich and definitive story. Di’s incorporated symbolism with trees of
life, abstract cabelling and intricate needlework. The colours at home with the moment, mixed with our
early placing in Autumn, suggestions of oaks, granite, and the travelling
layers of landscape, sea and cloud.

Tuesday, 20 August 2013

We're sampling our next collection at the moment. The designing is done, as is the first round of samples. Now we're working on testing our patterns, sampling in other shades and yarns and planning photography and styling. It's a long process but we love nothing more than designing our own collections. These pieces will be available as ready-to-wear and as DIY knitting kits and patterns. Launch is due in time for Shetland Wool Week in October, so the race is on.